Anorexia Nervosa

Question 1

What are the two types of anorexia according to ICD

Answer 1

Restricting type- weight loss by restricting food intake

Binge eating/purging type- weight loss by self induced vomiting or laxatives

Question 2

How much more common is anorexia in females than in males

Answer 2

10 times more

Question 3

What are 3 symptoms of anorexia

Answer 3

Losing weight deliberately- individual refuses to eat to maintain their weight. Have to weigh less than 85% of normal body weight (DSM 5)

Distorted body image
Physical symptoms- lanugo, baggy clothing

Question 4

What does the biological explanation of anorexia say?

Answer 4

Inherited- family studies tend to show that there is a higher risk for AN in female relatives of someone with the disorder
AN is very complex in terms of symptoms and research suggests that genes are associated with the development of the disorder.
Research- Kipman: closer the relative the higher the risk

Question 5

Give two strengths of genetic explanation of anorexia

Answer 5

Well controlled and extraneous variables are considered- whether a similar environment in the home might be causing the higher levels of AN or someone with the disorder in the general population

Positive contributions to society- less stigma attached and less blame, more compassion for sufferers

Question 6

Give two weaknesses of the genetic explanation of schizophrenia

Answer 6

Oversimplification of a complex disorder. Multiple factors work together to cause the illness and certain genes only increase a persons risk and are not the sole cause

Difficult to establish cause and effect- difficult to separate bio explanation as a cause of anorexia rather than being the result of the illness. Poor diet can cause bio changes